Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has ordered the immediate arrest of individuals responsible for setting fire to shelter belt trees in Wurno Local Government Area, describing the act as a direct attack on the state’s environmental protection and anti-desertification programme.
The governor’s directive followed reports that trees planted to slow desert encroachment and shield vulnerable communities were deliberately destroyed. Aliyu expressed strong condemnation of the incident, warning that such actions endanger lives, livelihoods and years of public investment aimed at protecting the fragile ecosystem of the area.
He said it was alarming that the shelter belts, established specifically to curb desertification and reduce the impact of harsh winds and advancing sand dunes, could be targeted despite repeated warnings against tree cutting and environmental abuse.
“I am deeply disturbed that anyone would set fire to shelter belts meant to safeguard our environment from desert expansion, particularly after several public warnings on the dangers of tree destruction,” the governor said.
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Aliyu stressed that anyone found culpable of burning or illegally cutting trees would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that the perpetrators of the Wurno incident must be tracked down and punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
He further revealed that the Sokoto State Government commits substantial resources annually to raising and distributing tree seedlings across communities most exposed to desertification, noting that the destruction of shelter belts undermines these efforts and wastes public funds.
The governor also directed chairpersons of affected local government areas to intensify surveillance and monitoring of shelter belts within their jurisdictions to prevent future vandalism and ensure the long-term protection of the trees.
